Tara Climate Foundation is a philanthropic climate foundation dedicated to fostering a future where Asia’s unwavering commitment to climate action paves the way for just, thriving and resilient societies. Tara operates in East, Southeast and South Asia, excluding India and China.

Our mission is to support a diverse group of partners in accelerating Asia’s energy transformation and championing climate action. Tara plays three main roles in the region:

• Grantmaker: Tara works closely with mission-aligned foundations and philanthropists to pool resources and grant funds to organisations working to accelerate Asia’s energy transition and climate action (excluding China and India).
• Convenor: Tara cultivates networks that facilitate the exchange of ideas between business, civil society, and government throughout and beyond Asia.
• Local and regional expert: With strong networks spanning civil society, businesses and government, Tara funds thorough research and analysis to address knowledge gaps, stay abreast of emerging trends, and craft evidence-based strategies to advance our mission.

Since establishing its headquarters in Singapore in 2021, the foundation has provided grants to more than 300 organisations across 13 countries and jurisdictions. Our team of over 40 experts is spread across the Asia-Pacific region, working to combat climate change in this decisive decade.

Over the last 2 years, Tara has experienced significant growth, expanding our funding base to include more than a dozen philanthropic foundations. Currently, we provide grants to over 300 organisations operating across 13 countries and jurisdictions in the Asia region.

Despite heightened global focus on climate issues, philanthropic giving toward climate change initiatives remains disproportionately low, constituting just 2% of worldwide philanthropic giving, with an even smaller percentage allocated to Asia Reporting to the Senior Finance Director with dotted line to the Head of Finance, the Financial Controller will be responsible for maintaining the day-to-day accounting activities of the organization, including but not limited to audit, tax filing, grantmaking accounting, internal control and procedures development, and systems maintenance.

The key responsibilities of the Financial Controller are to:

• Oversee all financial, project/program and grants accounting, ensuring that the organisation’s financial practices are in line with statutory regulations, legislation and best practices.
• Responsible for maintaining the day-to-day accounting, monthly, quarterly, and yearly closes.
• Reviews and prepares general ledger, adjustments and reconciliations for accuracy and modifies appropriate supporting documentation.
• Prepares internal and external nonprofit financial statements in accordance with Singapore Financial Reporting Standard along with actual-budget variance analysis.
• Assists in the preparation of the annual budget.
• Prepares financial proposals and financial reports for funders when needed
• Assists in annual audit, tax filing, and any other tax filings.
• Assists and manages all payables.
• Supports the grantmaking team in the grantmaking process and coordinates grant payments.
• Manages the expense reporting process and ensures reconciliations capture transactions from the credit card and expense report systems.
• Assists in development internal controls and policies and procedures.
• Manages organisational cash flow and forecasting
• Manages day-to-day finance administrative tasks, such as invoice and expense approvals and disbursement

Miscellaneous:

Promotes a culture of excellence, service orientation, high performance, and continuous improvement

Demonstrate Tara Values in every action

Actively participates in Program Team activities

Abides by Tara’s policies, procedures and practices

As and when required other responsibilities and projects will be allocated by line management.

Excited by the prospect of working for a dynamic and fast-growing international organisation with a mission to solve the climate crisis, the ideal candidate will have:

Skills & Experience:

• At least 15 years’ relevant hands-on experience with 7 plus years of management experience
• Prior experience in an international environment and non-profit organisation is a plus
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to deal with senior stakeholders, internal and external parties
• Strong ability to multitask and able to work in an entrepreneurial environment
• Improvements and solutions-driven, detailed-oriented and collaborative working styleß
• Strong critical and strategic thinking skills
• Able to work flexibly at a fast pace in remote settings with multi-cultural teams across time-zones
• A drive to achieve results; a high level of personal energy and pro-activity, demonstrated by concrete examples of achievement and initiative taken in previous roles

Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and an Asian language would be an asset

Reliable computer skills with standard applications (e.g., Microsoft Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word)

Embraces Tara’s mission and identifies with and is committed to living the Tara Values

Education

• Minimum of a degree in accountancy or CPA/ACCA equivalent, expert in Singapore FRS and IFRS

Location requirements

The candidate must have residency status with legal permit to reside and work in Singapore.

What Tara offers:

• The unique opportunity to work as part of a highly dynamic, international team who combine their passion to make a difference with a rigorous and results-oriented approach to work
• A flexible work environment
• Opportunities for career develop and challenge yourself
• Competitive compensation and benefits
• A collaborative, fun and thriving team, driven by our mission and live our values

To Apply:

Please submit an A4 covering letter outlining your skills and achievements against the role responsibilities, why you would like to join us and your salary expectations, along with your up-to-date CV by signing up/creating an account via Impactpool.

Tara is committed to building leadership capacity within Asia. This position is based in Singapore. Applicants must have the right to work in the country.

We appreciate everyone’s application, but only have the resources to respond to shortlisted applicants. If you have not heard from us within 3 weeks of the closing date, please assume you are unsuccessful for this role. If this is you, we appreciate your support and consideration and hope you will continue to consider roles with Tara in the future!